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'Body hackers' blur the line between human and cyborg

March 11, 2016

A new group that call themselves 'body hackers' are pushing the limits of humanity by merging technology and flesh.

Ever since the beginning of time, humans have sought to modify their bodies. From piercings and tattoos to implants and lifts, it seems like we are never satisfied with our appearance. But what happens when you add technology into the mix? A new group that call themselves "body hackers" are pushing the limits of humanity by merging technology and flesh.

According to NPR, "If there's a rock star in the body-hacking movement, it's Neil Harbisson, a colorblind artist from Barcelona who persuaded a doctor to implant a camera in the back of his head. The antenna, as he calls it, essentially lets Harbisson listen to colors by detecting the dominant color in front of him and translating it into musical notes.

The way he tells it, a medical ethics committee in Europe had refused to sign off on the operation, but a doctor agreed to perform the surgery anonymously. From it, Harbisson emerged with a camera connected to a device on the back of his skull, its lens dangling in front of his face on a rod that arcs over his head."

Of course, this type of exploration only raises more questions. What are the ethical implications of these types of modification? Should these types of procedures only be used to help people with medical problems or should technology be used to improve human skills? Where is the line?

To learn more, read "Body Hacking' Movement Rises Ahead Of Moral Answers" from NPR.

About the Author

Alexis Gajewski | Senior Content Strategist

Alexis Gajewski has over 15 years of experience in the maintenance, reliability, operations, and manufacturing space. She joined Plant Services in 2008 and works to bring readers the news, insight, and information they need to make the right decisions for their plants. Alexis also authors “The Lighter Side of Manufacturing,” a blog that highlights the fun and innovative advances in the industrial sector. 

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